Words by Webb

Once again it’s time for a new year of First Lines! The only rules for this unusual literary journal are:

1. Use the first line they provide. No changes!
2. 300 to 3,000 word count
3. MS Word or Word Perfect–no pdfs. Attachments preferred.

And if you feel up to the challenge you can submit a four part story that uses all four first lines. But you have to submit all four stories by the February 1 deadline.

Here are the first lines and their deadlines:

Feb. 1
“There are a few things you need to know before we start.”

May 1
Rachel’s first trip to England didn’t go as planned.

August 1
A light snow was falling as Charlie Reardon left the diner and made his way down Madison Street.

November 1
Sometimes, when it’s quiet, I can remember what my life was like before moving to Cedar Springs.

Those selected to be included in The First Line Literary Journal receive $30 and and copy of the issue your piece appears in. First Line is also looking for 500-800 word essays on–what else?!–your favorite first line from a literary piece.

Have Fun!

This is short notice but, if you have a YA novel in the works, this contest sponsored by She Writes is for you. You don’t even have to have it completely finished. Just a 2,000 word excerpt for your entry form. This is the First Young Adult Novel Contest at She Writes which I like to think of as a good thing. Since it’s new maybe not as many people will enter. But since She Writes is so well known maybe lots of editors, agents, and the like will stop by trolling for new talent. Me! Pick me!

Deadline: Dec. 15

Entry Fee: $15

Prize: The attention, advice, and hopefully encouragement of two YA literary agents and three YA editors. Those five industry gurus are Elizabeth Kaplan of the Elizabeth Kaplan Literary Agency, Kirby Kim of William Morris Endeavor, Michelle H. Nagler at Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Lanie Davis at Alloy Entertainment, and Stacey Barney at Penguin/Putnam Books.

For more rules and the entry form check out She Writes here.

Good Luck!!

My writing is funniest when I’m not even trying. The more I try the more un-funny it becomes. I have been known to read pieces to my family with the hint, “I meant this to be funny. Is it?” Not everyone has this problem. If your funny bone is in working condition this next contest might be for you. Truthfully, I would tell you about it no matter what type of contest it was just to share the name with you…

11th Annual Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest

Submission: August 15 to April 1

Entry Fee: Free

Entries: Must be submitted online. One poem only. Any length.

Language: English, although some gibberish is accepted.

Prizes: 15 prizes ranging from $75 to $1500 and publication

To learn more and read past winners check out the website

Now, for a little inspiration my little brother’s FAVORITE funny poem when he was a kid.

The Slithery Dee

Shel Silverstein--much funnier than he looks

The Slithery Dee
He lives in the sea
He saw all the others
But he didn’t see me.

The Slithery Dee
He came out of the sea
He chased all the others
But he didn’t chase me.

The Slithery Dee
I hid in a tree
He caught all the others
But he couldn’t catch me.

The Slithery Dee
He went back to the sea
He ate all the others
But he didn’t eat me.

The Slithery Dee
Oh where can he be?
He ate all the others
But he’ll never eat … S-L-U-U-U-R-P!

Congratulations! Susanna P. won Miss Timmins’ School for Girls. Please send me your snail mail so we can get your book in the mail.

Everyone else, stop by next week for another giveaway.

Sadly, I don’t qualify for this contest although, as a Cheerios lover, I do normally get a copy of the winner’s book. My son was a big fan of The Great Dog Wash.

But if you haven’t been paid for your writing you could enter the Cheerios Spoonful of Stories Contest. You enter a story for children ages 3 to 8 and the winner is published(in a cute little paperback they include in their cereal boxes as well as as a hardcover for sale) and you receive a prize of $5,000.

It’s time to put your thinking caps on because the deadline is July 15! For more complete rules and past winners check out the contest online. You can enter your story online.

What could be more fun that paging through your scribblings to find the perfect short story to enter in the Annual Gival Press Short Story Contest?

The contest, which accepts short stories of 5,000 to 15,000 words, has a deadline of August 8. The entry fee is $25 and the prize is $1,000 and publication on the Gival website. Scroll down the home page for the link to more info about this contest and their poetry contest.